Delay to surgery for proximal femoral fractures did not significantly affect mortality but increased morbidity, particularly the incidence of pressure sores.
Cohort (n=765)
Does the time interval between injury and surgery influence mortality and morbidity in patients with proximal femoral fractures?
Delaying surgery for proximal femoral fractures increases morbidity, specifically pressure sores, without significantly affecting mortality.
We studied prospectively a consecutive series of 765 patients with proximal femoral fractures to determine if the time interval between injury and surgery influenced the outcome. Patients in whom surgery had been delayed for medical reasons were excluded. We divided the patients into four groups depending on the delay to surgery. Analysis of pre- and postoperative characteristics showed the groups to be similar. Mortality in the four groups was not significantly different but morbidity was increased by delay, particularly with regard to the incidence of pressure sores.
Parker et al. (Sun,) conducted a cohort in Proximal femoral fractures (n=765). Delay to surgery vs. Shorter delay to surgery (four groups compared) was evaluated on Mortality and morbidity. Delay to surgery for proximal femoral fractures did not significantly affect mortality but increased morbidity, particularly the incidence of pressure sores.